Assembly Overwhelmingly Backs Palestine Participation After US Visa Denial

The United Nations General Assembly convened a special plenary session on Sept. 17 and delivered a resounding rebuke to the United States, voting 152–3–4 to adopt a workaround resolution allowing Palestine to participate in high-level week after Washington blocked visas to the Palestinian delegation for the second straight year. The lopsided vote — with dozens of co-sponsors including France, Brazil, China, South Africa, Turkey, and Algeria — underscored the deepening isolation of the US position on Palestinian representation at the world body.

• General Assembly adopts Resolution A/81/L.2 by 152–3–4, enabling Palestine to deliver pre-recorded statements during the 81st session's high-level week
• US casts one of three "no" votes, arguing the Palestinian Authority has not renounced terrorism or ended payments to terrorists' families
• Russia, China, and Iran condemn the visa denial as a violation of the UN Headquarters Agreement and international law
• Palestinian observer calls denial "obstruction" and reaffirms demand for a two-state solution on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as capital

For the second consecutive year, the General Assembly was forced to pass a procedural resolution so that the State of Palestine — whose delegation, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, was denied US entry visas — could address the body during its most prominent annual gathering.